Nanotechnology gets boost at University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB — February 10, 2003 — The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta (U of A) is collaborating with Sun Microsystems and the Government of Alberta to establish a Centre of Excellence in Integrated NanoTools. Creation of the centre will provide researchers with a nanotechnology design infrastructure to develop microchips, microsystems and nanodevices.

"Nanotechnology is a strategic field of research with tremendous interdisciplinary benefits," says Dr David Lynch, dean of engineering. "The Centre of Excellence in Integrated NanoTools will support and integrate nanoresearchers in a variety of disciplines including information and communication technology, energy, and manufacturing."

The centre will provide an environment for researchers to use state-of-the-art software tools and hardware for the design and understanding of nanosystems. It will provide training and consulting services for members of the nanocommunity involved in the integration of nano- and other compatible tools into future products.

Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of January, Alberta Innovation and Science will contribute $500,000, the University of Alberta will provide $700,000 worth of in-kind contributions, and Sun Microsystems will make an in-kind contribution of more than $2 million in SunTM hardware, Sun Open Network Environment (Sun ONE) software, Sun StorEdgeTM storage systems and services.